Champions Cup and Challenge Cup final match officials announced as Englishman makes history

Colin Newboult 15 May 2024 12:34 PM

Englishman Matthew Carley refereeing during the 2023/24 season.

Matthew Carley has been selected to referee the final of the Champions Cup between Leinster and Toulouse at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 25.

It is the first time that Carley will take charge of the premier showpiece event as he follows fellow Englishmen Wayne Barnes and Luke Pearce in having the honour over the past decade.

Carley will be assisted by Karl Dickson and Italian official Andrea Piardi, while Ian Tempest is the television match official.

Three of the past four finals have been officiated by Premiership referees, with Pearce doing it in 2021 and Barnes following a year later.

2023 controversy

Jaco Peyper was the man in the middle for the 2023 clash between Leinster and La Rochelle, but he has since retired after an injury sustained at the Rugby World Cup.

That 2023 Champions Cup final was famous for Johnny Sexton’s rant at the South African which brought about a three-match ban for the former Ireland fly-half.

Leinster succumbed 27-26 to the French outfit in Dublin as they suffered yet another final defeat, but they are back in the showpiece event in 2024.

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Leo Cullen’s men overcame Northampton Saints 20-17 to reach the last stage of the competition and they have been joined by Toulouse, who beat another English side, Harlequins (38-26), in their semi-final encounter.

A day earlier, also at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Sharks will face Gloucester in the Challenge Cup final.

Mathieu Raynal has been given the honour to take charge of that Friday night clash, and he will be helped by countryman Pierre Brousset and Irishman Andrew Brace, who are the assistants. TMO Eric Gauzins completes the line-up.